Online education takes to the skies

Online education is really taking off . . . literally. Not only are online student enrollments on the rise, but the recent release of Wi-Fi capability on a number of airlines means students can access their online classroom in-flight. Top airlines like American, Delta, Southwest, and United have all added Wi-Fi internet access to their mid-air accommodations. For a small fee, usually ranging from $10-$20, passengers can surf the web, instant message, and send email all while enjoying their complimentary peanuts and soft drink.

For online students, this translates to uploading assignments, researching for papers, and posting to their online classroom’s discussion board. Many online students are working (and often, traveling) professionals. Internet access on airplanes offers them the opportunity to keep up with coursework no matter where in the atmosphere they happen to be. What used to be a dreaded (or welcomed) block of time sans connectedness is now another occasion for possible productivity.

You’re probably thinking: now who would be motivated enough to pay for internet access in order to do homework on an airplane? Well, the online student. These are the kind of people whose schedules are already full with personal and professional commitments, which is precisely why they’re taking online classes in the first place. A few hours of uninterrupted time with their computer are precious. If it means getting a paper done on the way home from a business trip and being able to enjoy dinner with their family that night instead of doing homework, they are going to do it.

So the next time you’re on a plane, flipping through that dated magazine for the third time in an hour, think about what a difference an online degree could make. The age of the internet has given us the opportunity to “do” school from almost anywhere, and now, no sky is safe from the academic fervor of the online student.

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